So I put a thread on here a couple weeks back asking about some calibers and differents guns and I had my heart set on a browning xbolt stainless stalker 270 wsm.
After some test firing of multiple makes and calibers my cousin had a 22-250 in the browning xbolt stainless varmint special its got a 26" heavy barrel its free floated and glass bedded with a laminated thumb hole stock. It was a dream to shoot being a new rifle my cousin was breaking it in but couldnt get it to group it was a 7" spread at 100 yards. My buddy took a clip and got it to about a 4" group from the same distance. Then it was my turn, I got the gun to group MOA!! I was proud, my cousin is a long time rifle enthusiast and is a very wise guy and a good shot but I beat him! Now it could've been due to the rifle ( maybe it likes to fire dirty ) I don't know. But what I do know is that I absolutely loved the stock it was sooo comfortable to fire i shot off a rest but still it felt soo nice to shoulder.
I'm wondering if having this rifle in 270wsm would be good for hunting white tail and or moose? It's mostly prairies and woodlands no hills so lots of long shots in fields but there would be hunting in the bush (for white tails). Hunting moose would be in Norhern Ontario and central Manitoba in the more swampy hilled areas. So I was wondering if having the stainless stalker would be better cause its more light weight? Afterall its 6lbs8oz bare but the varmint special is 8lbs11oz. Is it worth sacrificing the short light weight and durable gun for the gun I already know is comfy but alot heavier longer and less weather resistant? I have shouldered the stainless stalker but I have not fired it. It is very comfortable but not as comfy as the varmint special in the palm of my hand but the recoil pad feels the same on the shoulder. As for the cheek rest I'm not sure as to what I find comfy yet.
Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker:
http://www.browning.com/products/cat...5&tid=202&bg=x
Browning X Bolt Varmint Special (note this link is not the stainless version):
http://www.browning.com/products/cat...5&tid=265&bg=x